PGA TOUR Desert Classic Preview

We move forward as the 2019 PGA continues to heat up. We are done with Hawaii and moving to California. “The West Coast Swing” kicks off from Palm Spring or what’s better known as Coachella Valley.

History:

This tournament continues to be the one tournament that changes its sponsor title EVERY year. I’ve been calling it the CareerBuilders Challenge all week until today. Last year was quite the finish as John Rahm locked in his statement of “being one of the best global players.” His big playoff gave him his second PGA Tour victory. Along with multiple international wins, this win gave him the confidence and recognition of one of the best players in the world.

The Course:

PGA West has 6 extraordinary courses out in California. These courses are all designed by the great legends of the game. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Pete Dye and Greg Norman each have a course. That’s legit the Hall of Fame of courses designers. It does not get any better than that. There is a format change this week. The event is played on three different courses but will be regular stroke play. The players will rotate between PGA West – Nicklaus Tournament Course & La Quinta Country Club on Thursday/Friday. Then it will switch to PGA West Stadium Course for Saturday and Sunday.

PGA West Stadium Course | Par: 72 | Yardage 7266

PGA West – Nicklaus Tournament Course | Par 72 | Yardage 7204

La Quinta Country Club | Par 72 | Yardage 7060

The Field:

We have lost a few top players as they are playing over in Dubai this week. Unfortunately, this does not rank as one of the more premier events on tour. However, we still have a lot of solid players this week: Justin Rose, Sean O’hair, Bill Haas, Duff Daddy, and Ryan Palmer among the few.

Can’t forget when Duff Daddy won this back in 2016. Coming off a huge offseason where he losses like 70lbs then goes out and win!! BladedWedge wants Duffner this week.

Predictions:

Score:

Last year, John Rahmn got into a playoff at -22. Based on that, the previous years floated around -15 to -20. I will say winning scores come in at -17 under this week.

Winner:

If you read last week, I did accurately predict Matt Kuchar. I got some good juju going this week and absolutely LOVE Justin Rose. I think he is by far the best player in the field and coming off of a huge 2018.

Dark Horse:

Bud Cauley. I was so sad when Bud got into that accident last year. It took him out of the 2nd half of the season and he missed a lot of good events. He worked his ass off to get back to good form and compete in Fall Series. I am really pulling for Bud to have a solid year. He’s a great guy and a huge competitor.

Coverage:

Thursday: 3:00pm – 7:00pm on Golf Channel

Friday: 3:00pm – 7:00pm on Golf Channel

Saturday : 3:00pm – 7:00pm on Golf Channel

Sunday: 3:00pm – 7:00pm on NBC

Final Thoughts:

It was just announced that Tiger will start 2019 at Torrey Pines Farmers Insurance Open. UHHH OHH!! The Cat is back for the West Coast Swing.